Jain community worldwide was bereaved by Kaal Dharma (passing away) of one of the great jain Acharyas of modern times, Acharya Param Pujya Shri Chandrashekhar Vijayji Maharaj Saheb on 8th August at Ahmedabad at the age of 79. He had not been well for some time and had been hospitalised during his last days.
His last rites were performed on the afternoon of Tuesday 9th august in Tapovan Vidyapeeth of Amiyapur village near Gandhinagar. His palkhi yatra (cortege) started from Vasupujya upashray and passed through Dharnidhar, Vasna, Paldi and Sabarmati en route to Tapovan
He was a leading Jain monk as well as an accomplished scholar and an orator. He had authored over 250 books on a variety of subject. His discourses attracted many thousands.
He was an ardent believer in Jain way of life and promoted the preservation of Indian cultural heritage vigorously. He was opposed to the British education system and had founded the Tapovan Vidyapeeth near Navsari to offer an alternative education in Indian style. Tens of thousands of Jain and non-Jain children have received their education there in totally the Indian tradition.
His main contribution was in promoting the Indian culture and awareness of Jain philosophy amongst the He had organised a numerous youth and created channels for linking the youth with the dharma. He had created youth groups for specific tasks like teaching of the correct dharma, provide humanitarian services, promote animal welfare and environmental protection. These groups were known as Vir Sainik Dal, Sanskruti Rakshan Dal etc and most Jains worldwide have benefited in one way or other through their services.
Shree Chandrashekhar Vijyaji Maharaj was born in the wealthy family of Ray bahadur Jivatlal Pratapsinh Radhanpurvala with his father Kantilal and mother Shubhdraben. He was named Indravadan. Shri Premsuri Maharaj Saheb as his guru gave him the vows of diksha when we was 18 in Mumbai. He also has a sister who also took diksha and is known as Mahanandashriji.
It is to him that we owe the gratitude for having all slaughter houses in Gujarat closed during the eight days of Paryushan. He had convinced the late Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shree Chimanbhai Patel to pass this law though he would be upsetting a large section of his voters. He had also successfully motivated the movement to stall expansion of Mumbai’s Devnar slaughter house.
Maharaj Saheb had a large following in the community and he gave diksha to 87 disciples.
Jain community will certainly miss this fiery but charismatic orator and forthright speaker of his mind. We pray that his atma stays on an ascending path to the ultimate liberation and attains inner peace and eternal bliss.
Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti!
Credit: Content Drawn from DeshGujarat.com